Salver finds its way home

A silver salver, presented in 1870 to the Rev. Robert Small at Caddonfoot, has been returned to the church after being left in her possessions by the late Hilary Sayles in Tunbridge Wells in Kent.

The history of the salver is not known and how it came into Hilary’s possession, but on Sunday, relatives Raymond and Sandra Cunningham travelled from Glasgow to Caddonfoot Parish Church to hand the salver over to session clerk Anne Grieve.

“We are very grateful to receive it,” she said at a small ceremony in the church.

Sandra added: “Hilary wanted it to be brought to Caddonfoot Church.”

It was on March 17, 1870, that Miss Young, Whytbank, and Miss Pinkard, Clovenfords, presented Mr Small with the salver and breadbasket, but no-one knows where the latter is now.

These were subscribed for by persons residing in the parish.

Mr Small, who died in November 1909 and was interred in Glasgow Necropolis later that month, left £600 for improvements to the church.